Central Catholic IrishTHON Raises Money for Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Students and staffulty at Central Catholic High School will participate in IrishTHON on Saturday, February 3 from 6 to 10 p.m. in the Sullivan Center.  This year’s theme is Winter Wonderland.  The event raises funds and awareness for Nationwide Children’s Hospital, our local Children’s Miracle Network hospital, which treats children from our area and provides life-saving care to sick and injured kids in need.

Central Catholic students raise money through sponsorships from families, friends, and alumni donors.  Throughout the evening, they spend time dancing, having lip sync and dance battles, and playing games, such as cornhole and musical chairs, as well as hearing directly from some of the families that the fundraiser helps.  They stay active and on their feet to represent how medical staff members stay busy and on their feet during a shift at the hospital.  

“IrishTHON is a student-created, student-led philanthropic event that partners with Nationwide Children's Hospitals and the University of Toledo's RockeTHON dance marathon,” explained Patrice Brock, Central Catholic science teacher and IrishTHON advisor.  “We are in our 6th year of raising money and awareness for the amazing work being done at hospitals like Mercy Children's.  Funds raised through IrishTHON stay with our local hospital.  With the previous five IrishTHON's, we are proud to say we have raised more than $50,000 for the kids at Nationwide Hospitals.  Our core team of 20 students has been working hard to plan and put on a fun-filled four-hour event that brings more than 200 Irish students and staffulty together for this worthwhile cause.”

CCHS students came up with the IrishTHON in 2018 as a way for Central Catholic to do more community outreach, not only for our surrounding neighbors, but for the city of Toledo as a whole. 

“I got involved because it’s a great way to participate in a school activity while helping children,” said senior Ra'Myah Hill, a member of the IrishTHON core team that plans the event.  “We have food and games, free T-shirts, and four hours to spend outside of school with our friends.  But more importantly, it shows that as a school, Central Catholic cares about our community and about these kids.”

“Central Catholic is a great community, and by helping others we also help ourselves,” said senior Nia Hunter, another member of the IrishTHON core team.  “Not only is this a fun event, but it impacts Toledo and the surrounding area.  Knowing you can have fun and help kids at the same time makes this evening worthwhile.”